The Jacksonville Aviation Authority today cut the ribbon on the sixth hangar built since the agency took over Cecil Airport from the Navy in 1999.

The $6 million 30,000 square feet hangar is an expansion for KCI Aviation, a Bridgeport, W.Va., company that inspects, maintains and repairs business jets and turbo-props, notably those powered by Pratt and Whitney engines.

“Three years ago the Jacksonville Aviation Authority formed a strategic plan and we said our number one priority was to support our existing tenants and help them grow.” said JAA CEO Steve Grossman. “Bringing in new tenants is our number two priority.”

KCI President Chuck Koukoulis said opening operations in Jacksonville is a strategic move for the company.

“Our customers fly coast to coast. This will help to provide our maintenance customers with multiple locations around the country,” he said. “West Virginia already gives us the mid-Atlantic market. We have a facility in Oklahoma that gives us the middle of the country.”

Now with Cecil operations, KCI will have a Southeastern base.

KCI plans to hire a minimum of 30 workers by the end of 2014 with an average annual wage of about $46,000.

Aviation and aerospace development is a targeted industry sector for both the state of Florida and city of Jacksonville. The state and city agreed to support the expansion by pledging expansion location assistance that will be awarded following the commencement of operations and creation of the promised new jobs.